OLD STAGE ROAD OPEN?

Does anyone know if Old Stage Rd is open yet? I looked on the El Paso County website, and it stated that the repair project is still in progress.

If it is closed, does anyone have a solid idea of an ETOC?

THANKS!!!!

Of course the general public has to be protected from themselves, so it is only open to residents. If you befriend one of them you might get the gate combination. I used to know it, but forgot it.

I was "guided" up there yesterday to access the communication towers on Transmitter Lane atop Cheyenne Mtn.

The repairs to the road are complete and the road is in the best condition I've ever driven. The Broadmoor stables is ferrying clients in and out with safari jeeps, but there are signs posted that the national forest is closed beyond the road.

I asked my "guide" if he knew about when the road would open to the public and was surprised at his answer.
He said the delay is because the city of COS and the town of Cripple Creek (and now the forest service) are at odds as to who will collect the revenues once the road is re-opened as a Toll Road!!

Sounds like free access to the attractions off Old Stage are history. There is a locked gate on the Cripple Creek side as well.

Tom-o Sapien wrote:I was "guided" up there yesterday to access the communication towers on Transmitter Lane atop Cheyenne Mtn. The repairs to the road are complete and the road is in the best condition I've ever driven. The Broadmoor stables is ferrying clients in and out with safari jeeps, but there are signs posted that the national forest is closed beyond the road. I asked my "guide" if he knew about when the road would open to the public and was surprised at his answer. He said the delay is because the city of COS and the town of Cripple Creek (and now the forest service) are at odds as to who will collect the revenues once the road is re-opened as a Toll Road!! Sounds like free access to the attractions off Old Stage are history. There is a locked gate on the Cripple Creek side as well.

Did they let a private company rebuild a public road so it could be a toll road?Lot of conservatives are talking that way these days.

Tom-o Sapien wrote:I was "guided" up there yesterday to access the communication towers on Transmitter Lane atop Cheyenne Mtn. The repairs to the road are complete and the road is in the best condition I've ever driven. The Broadmoor stables is ferrying clients in and out with safari jeeps, but there are signs posted that the national forest is closed beyond the road. I asked my "guide" if he knew about when the road would open to the public and was surprised at his answer. He said the delay is because the city of COS and the town of Cripple Creek (and now the forest service) are at odds as to who will collect the revenues once the road is re-opened as a Toll Road!! Sounds like free access to the attractions off Old Stage are history. There is a locked gate on the Cripple Creek side as well.

Did you go up the gated road just before the stables? There's a red gate that says no vehicle access but I've seen people park and walk that road for years. Last year we biked up a bit then were chased down by police cars and some private guys who "will probably want to press charges". I didn't know it went up to the radio towers (I'm assuming that's where it goes) and the sign at the bottom just says no vehicle access, looked like a forest road.

Can't believe old stage is still closed. It's accessible with a code though? I know people on the road but last summer when it was closed due to fire restrictions they posted two sheriffs up there who just sat where the dirt begins for a month.

I only went as far as the stables. The road splits at the stables and turns into transmitter lane. It is a private and locked /gated road.
The property atop Cheyenne Mountain belongs to the radio and TV stations.
I was up there to look at fixing some exhaust fans I will get more information if I can when I return to do the repairs.
it doesn't seem fair to have a toll road through the National Forest but then look at the Pikes Peak Highway...

Ed. @ MarktheCPA
I think the gate you are describing is to someone's land. Transmitter Ln goes south after the driveway to the stables. It is a high clearance vehicle type road that serpentines its way up the south side of the mtn. to access the radio towers. I'm surprised my 2wd service van made it all the way to the top.

My biggest concern is the signs posted that say the national forest is closed. Why would they close this portion of the forest when there is no imminent threat of flood or fire?

http://www.csindy.com/IndyBlog/archives/2014/05/21/old-stage-road-to-remain-closed-for-repairs

The Indy says county repairs to start in mid june but there are a few posts on a jeep forum about the road into the national forest being open from Victor as the forest service already finished their repairs and at this point it's just an el paso county closure. Sounds like the road looks fine and is open to local traffic but might be locked again at the county line.

wranglerforum.com/f60/old-s…

adm.elpasoco.com/publicserv…

With Old Stage still closed at this point I don't really see the county opening it at all this summer, maybe at the end of August. Even if they get the repairs done they'll just drag it out because they don't want anyone playing on Old Stage during fire season. Cheaper to leave the gate locked than to station sheriffs there again.

Edit @ Tom
The road that switchbacks up the mountain is the one I was referring to. There's a red gate at the bottom but people park there and climb through, I've probably seen a dozen other groups walking the road. We biked the switchbacks up the mountain for about an hour before hitting the police cars. Not sure if they put a new sign up but the old sign was just a "no vehicle access" sign and everyone I spoke with believed it to be a NFS road that was fine to walk on but the police were very aggressive. There's a trail just before transmitter lane that leads up Cheyenne Mtn and skirts the private property so I guess that's what most people are shooting for when they end up on transmitter lane.

Morgan Patterson wrote: Did they let a private company rebuild a public road so it could be a toll road?Lot of conservatives are talking that way these days.

Interesting theory. I'd wager the Upper Crusties that live at the bottom of Old Stage Rd. got used to the riff raff not driving the road and partying in the rocks above their homes and are pushing for a toll road to lessen the traffic.

Make Old Stage a toll road?!? What a bunch of BS, what the hell do we pay taxes for anyhow? I suppose Rampart Range Road is next.

@Tom-O Even though that job site is probably one of the most scenic and cool you will ever work at, avoid it like the plaque if you can. That place is HOT, as in radiation coming of the TV broadcast antennas. I built two of the towers up there back in the late 80's/early 90's and worked up there a lot. To our surprise one day we show up and there is yellow caution tape blocking off various areas on the ground with signs saying "maximum loitering time - 38 seconds" ..... right where we had sat and ate our lunch all the time!
If you have to go, cover nut sack and run straight from your truck to the transmitter shack ;). The city was making them clean that shit up so it is probably somewhat better now.

Is Rampart Range Road still closed at Garden of the Gods? I figured it still was.

As for the gate on Old Stage Road:

"If it's not open, the gate code is 0214."

Thanks for the code Stich.

And you can access RR Road from Woodland Park.

Right. Once I get my motorcycle running I'd kind of like to cut out riding on 24 up Ute Pass if I can.

Thanks for the warnings Glenn. I'll fashion a foil nut sac helmet for my next visit lol.

As for accessing the road, there is still signs posting the national forest is closed.
I'd be worried about my vehicle being towed from the parking areas if left unattended. There were several utilities vehicles traveling the road and everyone that opened the gate closed and locked it behind them.

Here is what I know: the code 0214 does not work. I've tried, several times. It seems like maybe they change is up frequently? Who knows. However, I have a friend that has been driving up around to Victor and accessing Old Stage from the west side. Don't know if it would allow you to get all the way to the martyr/sanctum area though.... As far as I know, he said there wasn't a gate blocking entry from the west.

Has anyone been up there recently or know the status if/when it is open?

Chris Dickson wrote:Here is what I know: the code 0214 does not work. I've tried, several times. It seems like maybe they change is up frequently?

That sucks. I wish someone would post up the new combination.

The road will be open for weekend traffic starting this Labor Day weekend according to the news this morning.

kktv.com/home/headlines/Old…

Assemble at the gate in single file, no cutting in line or saving spots will be tolerated.

Tom-onator wrote:The property atop Cheyenne Mountain belongs to the radio and TV stations.

its private property and the family leases the land for use. Its quite lucrative.

Greetings!

I am a novice photographer (35 mm) and was hoping to get up there to do some night photography of Colorado Springs. Your information is helpful. It is completely understandable about a locked gate since you never really know who is in your neighborhood

Randy Filkin wrote:Greetings! I am a novice photographer (35 mm) and was hoping to get up there to do some night photography of Colorado Springs. Your information is helpful. It is completely understandable about a locked gate since you never really know who is in your neighborhood

Randy,

I'm not sure where you are looking to go but the gate at Old Stage is open now. It was closed due to flood damage and road work. There is a trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain, you just need to be careful to avoid the radio tower road and property.